Business Development Executive – Africa

(Location: Nairobi, Kenya)

Reports To: VP, Client Development – Africa

About GeoPoll

GeoPoll is the pioneer in conducting remote research through mobile-based methodologies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. GeoPoll’s offerings provide humanitarian organizations, governments, and with high-quality data. Since its founding in 2005, GeoPoll has grown into a full-service, global organization covering all data collection modes that offer our clients best-in-class technology, research expertise, and local presence. We conduct over 4 million interviews annually through multiple mobile modes, including CATI, CAPI, web, and SMS, for UN agencies, NGOs, development implementers, universities, leading brands, and media companies. GeoPoll has conducted projects in over 120 countries in 99 languages with over 10,000 interviewers globally.

GeoPoll is driven by a mission to leverage the power of mobile to give global communities a voice in global development issues, consumer products, and more. Our global teamwork works together to collect vital information for clients who range from small NGOs to multi-lateral development organizations and global consumer goods brands.

Role Overview

The Business Development Executive is a driven, self-led business development professional focused on growing GeoPoll’s commercial research revenue across Africa. Working closely with the VP, Client Development – Africa and the Research and Technical teams, this person identifies and pursues new business, supports proposal development, manages a growing portfolio of accounts, and applies AI tools across the sales workflow to strengthen revenue and retention. Exposure to social and development sector clients is an advantage; internal and external consultants are available to support development sector opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

New Business Development

  • Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities across primarily commercial research clients in Africa, with support on social and development sector opportunities as directed.
  • Build and manage a robust pipeline in the CRM (Salesforce), keeping records and forecasts current.
  • Support proposals, expressions of interest (EOIs), and capability statements, working with Research and Technical teams on methodology, fieldwork, and budget inputs.
  • Attend client briefing meetings and translate discussions into clear, structured internal briefs for proposal development.
  • Represent GeoPoll at client meetings, industry events, and conferences to build visibility and generate leads.

Client Relationship Management

  • Build and grow a client network across the region, with support from the VP’s existing relationships, acting as a trusted point of contact for a portfolio of active clients.
  • Identify upsell and cross-sell opportunities within existing accounts and translate these into new project scopes.
  • Coordinate closely with Research and Technical teams to keep client expectations aligned with delivery.
  • Apply AI-supported approaches, faster proposals, more responsive account management , to strengthen retention.

Business Development & Team Operations Support

  • Maintain the business development pipeline tracker and coordinate follow-ups on proposals, EOIs, and client commitments.
  • Support coordination of proposal inputs across Research and Technical teams, keeping contributors aligned on deadlines.
  • Prepare briefing notes ahead of client meetings and structured notes and action logs afterwards.

Sales Strategy & Reporting

  • Contribute ideas and market intelligence to the VP, Client Development – Africa on pipeline priorities and account planning.
  • Own individual revenue and new-business targets, reporting pipeline, forecasts, and account performance to the VP.
  • Flag risks to revenue or client relationships early, with recommended mitigations.
  • Bring forward ideas on where AI and automation can improve revenue and retention across the wider function.

Technology & AI Fluency

This role requires practical, demonstrated knowledge of applying AI tools across the sales workflow;  prospecting, proposal drafting, CRM management (Salesforce), and client communications , to drive revenue and improve client retention. The Business Development Executive actively champions these approaches and shares them with the wider client development team.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field.
  • Solid experience (4+ years) in business development, sales, or account management, with a track record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets.
  • Experience selling into commercial market research clients; exposure to social and development sector clients an advantage.
  • Strong client relationship management skills; comfortable owning a portfolio of accounts end to end.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
  • Experience with CRM tools (Salesforce or similar), and practical, demonstrated knowledge of embedding AI into sales workflows for revenue and retention results.
  • Comfortable working cross-functionally with Research and Technical teams; familiarity with quantitative or qualitative research methods a plus.

Equal employment opportunity statement

GeoPoll is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, tribe, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications and merit.

To apply 

Please submit your CV and cover letter (as a single file with your name as the file name) to [email protected] with the job title: Business Development Executive – Africa in the subject line on or before Friday, 14th August 2026.

Learn more about GeoPoll at: https://www.geopoll.com .